Diabetic Retinopathy

Despite marked improvements in the treatment of diabetes and its complications, diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains a leading cause of blindness and vision impairment in the working-age population. Damage to small blood vessels (capillaries) is the cause of DR and risk factors include duration of diabetes, pregnancy, onset of puberty, blood glucose control, hypertension, serum lipid levels, and cataract surgery.

During the first two decades of disease, nearly all patients with type 1 diabetes and >60% of patients with type 2 diabetes have DR. It progresses from nonproliferative DR (NPDR) to proliferative DR (PDR) characterized by the growth of new blood vessels, which are fragile and tend to leak. Diabetic macular oedema (DME) may be associated with NPDR and PDR. The uncontrolled growth of new blood vessels and DME are the main causes of visual loss in diabetes. Current therapy for DR includes intensive glucose and blood pressure control, laser photocoagulation, and surgery.